Discover the answer to the question "What's a Microcontroller?" as you learn electronics and programming side by side with the BASIC Stamp 2 in this friendly tutorial.

This entry-level tutorial introduces circuit-building and microcontroller programming at the same time with the BASIC Stamp 2 (not included), a tiny on-board computer like the ones found in many electronic devices. Discover how common components work as you go step by step through 40 hands-on activities in this 350-page text. Side-by-side schematics and wiring diagrams give you confidence in building the circuits, and each example program is followed by a detailed explanation so you learn as you go.

What's a Microcontroller? is the foundation text to the Stamps in Class series, and an excellent resource for STEM programs. This text is suitable for students at the junior high, high school, vocational school, and college level, as well as the independent learner.

This textbook does not include a development board. To go through the activities in the textbook, you already should have a BASIC Stamp HomeWork Board or a BASIC Stamp Board of Education plus BS2-IC module, as well as a collection of parts to build the circuits in this book's exercises. If you don't have either, then you should purchase one of these bundles which contain this book, a board and all the required parts: The BASIC Stamp Activity Kit includes a HomeWork Board; the BASIC Stamp Discovery Kit includes a Board of Education plus BS2-IC module.

If you do have one of the boards but need the required parts to complete the activities in this book, you can purchase the Textbook and Parts Kit bundle.